The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1933. THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1933. THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.

The report of iVir Jeffries, County Chairman,- on liis southern visit, was oomirmation, uhiortunateiy, of the general impression as to' the backward state of the district due to its extreme isolation. AYhen it is remembered that the far south has been settled for over f'ixty years, it is reflection on the public administration that the locality is so neglected by the authorities in regard to access. Compared with more favoured places in New Zealand, there is certainly a grievance that the neglect lias been of so studied a character. When we read in the current news that the Postmaster-General, who is also at the head of the Unemployment Board, is sending at once one hundred men to continue the construction of a first-class road to Milford Sound, we can only measure the neglect of the southern district of Westland in most serious terms. The Minister’s t action creates a comparison in which we see a very costly road being recognised not for settlement purposes, hut purely for tourist traffic. The South Westland road is primarily for settlement which we have seen grow as the arterial road was pushed south, dnd also for scenic purposes to delight the tourist in unending variety. Indeed, there is a surfeit of scenery along the south route which is bordered throughout with the gems of nature’s handiwork. Yet, the south is being ignored, while a road is being made to a locality where there is neither land for settlement nor population. The southern district has a scattered population covering a large area of Crown Rand, and were that great area roaded arterially, the district would advance as has been the case further north as the road was pushed on. Mr Jeffries likewise referred to the timber-bearing lands, and the mineral deposits-*-two assets capable of absorbing much labour if there were the means for development by providing ready access. This latent wealth will ,be' recovered in time, but it is to be regretted that at the present, when the country stands in need of useful avenues for work, that the development of the south should remain neglected. AVhen we see what is happening at Milford, we can realise only that more influential forces are at work in that connection,, and that not enough noise or protest is being made about the rights of this district. That is a defect which should be made good without delay, and it is to he hoped the Member for Westland who is au fait with the situation, should take the matter up aggressively with the authorities in AVellington. AVe are .sure there will be mil admiration for those settlers who have stuck to the far south, and established themselves in the face of great odds and ever•rejeurring difficulties. The report of the County Chairman indicated the plight of some of the. settlers who are without proper access to their holdings, and that position is a reflection on the land policy of the country which .persists in neglecting the bnckblocks over the years. Despite the drawback's and inconveniences, settlers of the right stamp have stuck to their task and have well established homesteads which reward has been well earned and is deserved fully.